RESTORATION, PRESERVATION & ARCHIVING
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RESTORE A PHOTOGRAPH?
In most cases, it takes between
5 and 10 business days
to have a photograph restored. However, if a photograph is extremely damaged or if Sebastian is engaged in a large project, it may take a bit longer. There are seasonal considerations where volume increases turnaround time.
Clients are advised to bring in photographs to be restored well in advance of holidays, such as:
Veterans Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
There are no “rush” jobs, but quality work can be expedited at a higher rate to meet client deadlines.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RESTORE A PHOTOGRAPH?
Restoration is an art, not a science, with reproducible results; each restoration project is unique. An estimate can be provided only upon a thorough examination of the original photograph and a discussion with the client of all the requirements, such as treatment of the original item and, in the case of digital restoration, the quality of the final photo print, print size, as well as mounting, display, and framing options.
To receive an estimate, please make an appointment to have your photographs examined and to receive comprehensive answers to any questions that you may have concerning all aspects of photo restoration.
Can you restore a photograph stuck to broken glass?
Depending on the extent of the damage, a photograph that became stuck to glass can either be carefully separated from it with minimal loss or restored by making a high-resolution scan, digitally retouching the damaged areas, and making a high-quality print to match the original photograph.
CAN YOU FLATTEN AND RESTORE A ROLLED UP PHOTOGRAPH?
Restoration of a rolled-up photograph or document is one of the most challenging and difficult of all restoration tasks. It is highly advisable that any photograph of value that has been rolled up and stored in such condition for a prolonged period of time is handled by a skilled restoration and conservation professional; otherwise, the photograph will suffer additional distress or may be damaged beyond repair.
Sebastian Wintermute has extensive experience restoring such photographs, from 1880 panoramic views of New York City to pictures taken at WWII military training camps. If you have a photograph that has been rolled up and that you would like to be restored, please contact the studio to have it examined.
DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS?
In recognition of their service, sacrifice, and suffering, FREE PHOTO RESTORATION AND ARCHIVING SERVICES are offered to COMBAT VETERANS OF WWII ALLIED FORCES AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS.
WILL YOU PROVIDE DIGITAL COPIES OF THE RESTORED PHOTOGRAPHS?
Upon the completion of a project, clients are provided with high-resolution original scans and digital files of the restored photographs.
CAN I E-MAIL A SCAN OF A PHOTOGRAPH TO RESTORE?
Producing a high-quality scan is the first and one of the most important steps in photo restoration. Unlike many discount photo restoration services that use low-quality scanners in the hope that later, whatever imperfections of the scan, low resolution, or color changes can be fixed in Photoshop, Sebastian Wintermute utilizes high-quality equipment to ensure the capture of even the smallest details or the most minute color variations of the original that are needed for high-quality photo restoration and art replication.
However, if you are unable to bring the original photograph to the studio or send it to be restored, you can e-mail or send a thumb drive with a high-scan file of the photograph to be restored. Have a photograph scanned at a minimum resolution of 600 dpi at full color setting. Even if the photograph is black and white, do not apply any color correction, scratch and dust removal, or any other filter that may change the appearance of the photograph .
CAN YOU RESTORE AN ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH INSTEAD OF MAKING A DIGITAL COPY?
Traditional photo retouching services are offered on a case-by-case basis. If an original photograph is damaged only slightly, it may still be possible to reduce the appearance of scratch marks and other imperfections by careful application of retouching spot tones.
The great misconception about photo restoration is that in the old days, the true photo restorers whose art was forever lost were able to repair and restore an original photograph, no matter how damaged it was. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though some damages, such as scratches, minor blemishes, or tears, in the original photograph could and still be retouched and repaired by a skilled restorer, anything more than that required making a copy of the original photograph.
The usual procedure was to photograph the original image onto a special copy film, such as Kodak Professional Copy Film 4125, that was designed for retouching. After a copy was made, the photo restorer would carefully retouch the negative, removing all visible signs of damage and imperfections by applying special retouching tools and pencils. After the negative was retouched, it would be printed on photo paper, producing a restored duplicate of the original damaged photograph.
Nowadays, instead of making a negative from the original photograph, a digital file is created by scanning the photograph with a high-quality photo scanner. After the digital file is retouched, the restored image is printed on specially designed paper of higher quality and longevity than most old-fashioned photo papers.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO ENLARGE A PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPH?
With careful retouching and restoration, a small photograph can be enlarged to 5x7 or even 8x10 in size. Making a photograph much larger is possible but usually requires a considerable amount of skill and the use of high-end professional equipment to produce a high-resolution, high-quality photo scan.
CAN YOU REPLACE A BACKGROUND AND REMOVE A PERSON FROM A PHOTOGRAPH?
With skill and artistry, it is possible to replace a background or remove a person from a photograph without making the image look artificially changed. It is also possible to change the lighting, colors or styles of outfits, and appearance of any other items in a photograph.
No photo retouching is ever done to alter the appearance of photographs of any cultural or historical significance since such alterations would violate professional codes of conduct and moral and ethical standards.
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